Properties: Pungent, Slightly Bitter, Cool
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Lung, Stomach, Intestines
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Lung Heat
Lung heat dry cough
- Cools the Blood and resolves Toxicity
Scurvy, painful swelling from clove sore
Itchy skin
- Promotes urination
Infection of urinary system
Suggested Daily Dosage: Eaten fresh as food or pounded and applied externally.
Cautions: Caution over-eating if taking anticoagulant medication.
Notable Constituents:
- Ascorbic Acic
Watercress contains up to 43mg/100g of vitamin C, which is 71% RDI, explaining its action on scurvy. Vitamin C is a potent reducing and antioxidant agent with functions in fighting bacterial infections, detoxifying reactions, iron absorption and the formation of collagen in fibrous tissue, teeth, bones, connective tissue, skin, and capillaries. It cannot be produced or stored by humans and must be obtained in the diet.
- Retinol
Watercress contains up to 63% RDI per 100g of Vitamin A which plays an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response
- Phylloquinone
Watercress is also high in Vitamin K, necessary for posttranslational modification of certain proteins, mostly required for blood coagulation. It is also an antidote for coumatetralyl, a coumarin used as rat poison, of the same family as warfarin. It is therefore recommended to avoid high levels of Vitamin K if taking warfarin.
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
